Penny pincher: The airport transfer

The column that checks the bill. This week: The airport transfer and what you can do to ensure you don't join the ranks of the ripped-off

Those who arrive clueless get stung, so research how you’re going to move on (Spencer Platt)
You’re knackered. You’ve been flying for hours, and all you want to do is get
to that hotel and flop. Whatever it costs. Yum: you’re what airport-transfer
touts call “easy meat”.

The rip-off merchants are everywhere. Just this month, police in Prague
announced the results of a probe into airport taxis: half were found to be
overcharging. Some visitors had paid $255 for the $30 ride to town.

You’d never be that daft? Maybe — though it’s funny what exhaustion and
unfamiliar territory can do. Here’s how to ensure you don’t join the ranks
of the ripped-off.

1Plan your transfers when you book your flight
It’s those who arrive clueless who get stung, so research straightaway how
you’re going to move on — and your first step is to...

2Check out the airport’s website — the real one
No airport wants to be known as a rip-off zone, so most have a helpful